Lime oil
Lime oil suppliers and sourcing guide
Lime oil comes from the fruit of Key or Mexican lime (Citrus aurantifolia) and Persian or Tahiti lime (Citrus latifolia), with Mexico, Peru and Brazil as major origins. It is made two ways: distilled oil, steam-distilled from crushed whole fruit or juice and widely used in cola and lemon-lime drinks, and expressed (cold-pressed) oil from the peel, which smells closer to fresh lime. Folded and terpeneless grades are made from both.
- Also known as
- Citrus aurantifolia oil · Distilled lime oil · Expressed lime oil · Key lime oil · Persian lime oil (Citrus latifolia)
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of lime oil
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Distilled
Steam-distilled lime oil with the familiar cola and soft-drink lime character.
Expressed (cold-pressed)
Peel oil with a fresher, greener profile, generally priced higher than distilled.
Folded and terpeneless
Concentrated grades with terpenes removed for clear beverages and stability.
Organic
Certified organic distilled or expressed lime oil, in limited supply.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- GC profile
- Gas chromatography of limonene, gamma-terpinene, citral and other markers, compared with the specification for the stated type.
- Physical constants
- Specific gravity, refractive index and optical rotation at a stated temperature, compared with the supplier's specification or the Food Chemicals Codex monograph where one exists.
- Citral and terpene markers
- Citral, gamma-terpinene, terpinolene and other markers by GC, which distinguish distilled from expressed oil.
- Appearance and odor
- Color, clarity and odor against a retained standard; off-notes often show up before the GC profile shifts.
- Heavy metals
- Lead and arsenic, typically by ICP-MS, against the supplier's specification.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Citrus peel oils oxidize quickly once opened, so store them cool (often refrigerated), dark and in full containers, and nitrogen-flush partly used drums. Cold-pressed oils can drop a waxy sediment in the cold, which is normal and can be decanted or filtered. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, commonly shorter for cold-pressed than for folded or terpeneless oils, and aged stock should be retested for peroxide value and odor.
Lots and expiry dates
Distilled and expressed oils are not interchangeable, and both vary by lime species, origin and season. Record type, species, origin and GC profile per lot, and check finished-flavor match when switching lots or suppliers.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 182.20 lists lime (Citrus aurantifolia) among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists distilled lime oil (CAS 8008-26-2) with the technical effect flavoring agent or adjuvant, citing 21 CFR 172.230 and 182.20.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists expressed (cold-pressed) lime oil separately, with the technical effect flavoring agent or adjuvant, citing 21 CFR 182.20.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Lime oil suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking lime oil suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell lime oil? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of lime oil can brands buy?
Common forms include distilled, expressed (cold-pressed), folded and terpeneless and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for lime oil include?
Expect gC profile, physical constants, citral and terpene markers, appearance and odor and heavy metals, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should lime oil be stored?
Citrus peel oils oxidize quickly once opened, so store them cool (often refrigerated), dark and in full containers, and nitrogen-flush partly used drums. Cold-pressed oils can drop a waxy sediment in the cold, which is normal and can be decanted or filtered. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, commonly shorter for cold-pressed than for folded or terpeneless oils, and aged stock should be retested for peroxide value and odor.
What is the regulatory status of lime oil?
21 CFR 182.20 lists lime (Citrus aurantifolia) among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use. FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists distilled lime oil (CAS 8008-26-2) with the technical effect flavoring agent or adjuvant, citing 21 CFR 172.230 and 182.20. FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists expressed (cold-pressed) lime oil separately, with the technical effect flavoring agent or adjuvant, citing 21 CFR 182.20.
More flavors, spices and essential oils
- Vanilla extractExtract of vanilla · Pure vanilla extract
- Vanilla beansVanilla planifolia · Vanilla tahitensis
- Vanillin4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde · Vanillic aldehyde
- Ethyl vanillin3-Ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde · Bourbonal
- Natural flavorsNatural flavoring · Natural flavour
- Artificial flavorsArtificial flavoring · Synthetic flavors
- CinnamonCinnamomum verum (Ceylon cinnamon) · Cinnamomum cassia (Chinese cassia)
- NutmegMyristica fragrans · Nutmeg seed
- CloveSyzygium aromaticum · Eugenia caryophyllata
- CardamomElettaria cardamomum · Green cardamom
- Black pepperPiper nigrum · Peppercorns
- Cayenne pepperCapsicum annuum · Capsicum frutescens
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